London: Official figures released by the British government Tuesday revealed that nearly 20,000 migrants have crossed the English Channel in small boats from continental Europe since January 1, marking a new record for the first six months of the year.
According to Qatar News Agency, approximately 19,982 migrants made the perilous journey, surpassing the previous record of 13,489 set in 2024.
The surge in crossings increases pressure on British Prime Minister Keir Starmer, who pledged to reduce migration numbers when he was elected last year.
On Monday alone, 879 migrants arrived in the UK in small boats, making it the third-highest daily total so far this year.
Small boat crossings remain a central political issue in Britain, with successive governments vowing to curb the numbers.
France is reportedly considering allowing its officials to stop boats in shallow coastal waters, although current regulations prohibit them from intercepting vessels once they are underway.